On not being a typical tourist, truth in advertising, and Italian mothersI saw an ad on Facebook the other day that got me annoyed. You know, one of those context ads that they show you based on your searches to try and offer you what you personally want (I’d say most of the time they are wrong, though). This one — I will not name it — is a bus company in Peru geared exclusively at Western tourists.
The ad said, “Don’t be a typical tourist”, and that logan seemed to contradict what the company offers. Basically, if you are afraid of taking normal buses in Peru, or feel uncomfortable at local bus stations, or want to be carried straight from your hostel in city A to the hostel in city B, or simply like to be around tons of other backpackers — then you can pay at least double the normal bus price to this company and… not be a typical tourist? Seriously? An expensive bus service for backpackers that connects only those places where most tourists go — sounds exactly like a service for typical tourists to me.
Don’t get me wrong — if people use these buses, if the company has found its market share, then there is nothing wrong with the service itself. At Smart Trip Platform, we welcome all kinds of travel businesses, for all audiences. Would we be happy if this bus company registered? You bet. My issue is with the way it is presented, with the “Don’t be a typical tourist” line. What does it mean NOT to be a typical tourist? And how do you achieve that?
Let me offer you an analogy. You know, I live in Italy (being originally from Russia), and the two cultures are vastly different. One thing that really baffles me is how Italian mothers raise their children, producing perhaps the most infantile youth in Europe. Mothers hardly teach their kids to do anything by themselves when they are little. It is common for a six-year-old to go to first grade without being able to get dressed or undressed without assistance. Kids are not taught how to cook or do any chores around the house, they are not taught to read before school, etc. The result? High school graduates are hardly able to make a dish of pasta. Parents accompany them to all exams. They are simply unprepared to be on their own. But of course, it is mostly their parents’ fault.
Can you already see the gist of my analogy? The environment makes a self-sufficient, mature person — or traveler. Only in the case of travel, most parents can’t teach you much (unless they are die-hard trekkers, sailors or mountaineers). It is the combination of practicing going out of your comfort zone and the tech you use — the digital environment. Unfortunately, getting around truly on your own — NOT being a typical tourist — requires lots of research, confidence, and experience, and the existing web environment is not very helpful. You have to search for info on tons of websites that often contradict each other, you don’t speak the language, then get lost… So on a certain level I can understand backpackers who decide to take the expensive tourist bus. Still I believe that there should be a nurturing, encouraging environment for independent tourists that will help them become real travelers.
And that’s exactly the environment we are building — the Smart Trip Platform! Finally travelers (including less experienced ones) will have all the tools they need to feel secure and in control while on the road. Bus schedules and routes, info on buying tickets, safety tips, emergency assistance, travel buddy search — and of course, an instant translator tool. No more feeling lost and confused at a noisy, bustling bus station — you will already know which company you need and how much tickets cost; and in many cases, you will be able to buy them right on the platform.
Of course, if you prefer to use a bus company aimed specifically at tourists, you can do so: once again, buying your ticket at Smart Trip Platform. But if you want to finally feel like that confident globetrotter you always wanted to be, we will give you the ultimate resource for it. We want you to feel intrepid, satisfied, fulfilled — and above all, safe.
https://medium.com/@smarttripplatform/on-not-being-a-typical-tourist-truth-in-advertising-and-italian-mothers-d1e497faad76
